Destroy: Meaning, Examples, and Common Usage

Meaning 1：ruin completely (destroy)

destroy 🔊

/dɪˈstrɔɪ/

To completely break or ruin something so that it can't be used or doesn't exist anymore.

Hand knocking over wooden block tower illustrating destroy meaning

ruin completely 🔊

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/ˈruːɪn kəmˈpliːtli/

To cause something to be completely broken, damaged, or ruined so that it no longer exists or functions.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Latin de- 'down' + struere 'build'; meaning 'pull down'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'de-stroy' as 'de- (take away) + story'; a destroyed story has its plot ruined.

📖 Example

The heavy rain last night destroyed our carefully built vegetable garden, but we're already planning to plant new seeds this weekend. 🔊 The heavy rain last night destroyed our carefully built vegetable garden, but we're already planning to plant new seeds this weekend.

🔗 Collocations

destroy evidence – To make evidence useless or nonexistent, often to hide wrongdoing.

destroy a building – To completely demolish a structure, often by explosive or natural force.

destroy someone's reputation – To cause severe damage to someone's good name or public image.

🔄 Synonyms

annihilate (v.) – To destroy completely, leaving no trace.

demolish (v.) – To tear down or break apart a structure or system.

ruin (v.) – To cause severe damage or decay, making something useless.

🚫 Antonyms

build (v.) – To construct or create something.

create (v.) – To bring something into existence.

preserve (v.) – To maintain in original or existing state, protect from harm.

🌱 Derivatives

destruction (n.) – The act or process of destroying something.

destructive (adj.) – Causing great damage or harm.

destroyer (n.) – A person or thing that destroys.

📖 Cultural Story

Originating from Latin 'destruere', via Old French. Used in contexts of war, natural disasters, and figurative ruin.